27/SAI- No.1. AirMinistryBulletinNo.3991 V.A.A.F.UANTMOTORDRIVERS. Thereareatpresentvacanciesforalargenumberofmotordrivers intheranksoftheV.A.A.F.Hithertowomenhavebeenacceptedonlyif theyhaveheldlias drivinglicencesforsomeyears.Thisstipulation nowbeenwaivedandanywomaninpossessionofa"clean"licenceiseligible. No youngwomanneedthereforehesitatetoapplybecauseshehasnot heldalicenceverylong.Ifacceptedshewillberequiredtodrivestaff carsorlight,vans. Shemaybebetweenandofifbelow18shemust 43yearsage,but haveherparents1consent. Alicencewhichhasbecomeoutofdateneedbenobar.Itwillbe officiallyrenewed. ApplicationshouldbemadeatVictoryHouse,Kingsway,oranyV'.A.A.F. RecruitingCentre. M.0.1.NewsBulletinN0.392.Page2. GERMAN'PROFESSORCOMMITSSUICIDE. NewshasbeenreceivedinLondonthatthe'German-JewishProfessorWalterA, Berendsohnhe recentlycommittedsuicideinDenmark,inwhichcountrywasliving asarefugeeatthe••timeoftheGermanoccupation. ProfessorBerendsohn,oneofGermany’sforemostexportsonmodern Scandinavianliterature,waswellknowninEngland,havinglecturedatLondon UniversityatCambridge. andHehasalsobroadcastforthe8.8.C. MinistryofInformation.M.0.1.5* 27.5.41.- No.8. NOTFORPUBLICATION,BROADCAST,ORUSEONCLUBTAPES BEFORE0030ONMAY28/41. THEGEORGECROSS. SectionCommanderGeorgeWalterINWOOD,HomeGuard. Immediatelyfollowinganintenseairraidonthenightof15th/16th October,theto 1940,SectionCommanderInwoodwascalleduponbypolice assistir.rescuedutyinBishopStreet,Birmingham. TakingchargeofapartyofsixVolunteers,hefoundthatseveral peoplewereimprisonedinafilledcellar.Asmallholewasmadeand gas SectionCemmanderInwoodwasloweredintothecavity.Withgreatbravery hesucceededinbringinguptwomalesalive.Althoughnearlyexhausted, heenteredthecavernathirdtimeandwasovercomebythefumes.Hewas draggedoutbyoneofhiscomrades,butdespitetheattentionofadoctor anditwasimpossibletorevivehim. nurse, Heshowedtheformofcoolcourageandself-sacrificefor highest others. THEMOSTEXCELLENTORDEROFTHEBRITISHEMPIRE. TobeAdditionalMemberoftheofthesaid anMilitaryDivision MostExcellentOrder- Inrecognitionofhishavingdisplayedconspicuous gallantryincarryingouthazardousworkinaverybravemanner Second-Lieutenant(actg.Lieut,)EdwardEllisArthurChetwyndTALbOT, 0-70(1QQ411)/RoyalEngineers. THEDECREEMEDAL. No.1984892Driver(1.C.)CharlesMichaelMITCHELL, RoyalEngineers. Duringairraidhouseandin anawaspartiallydemolisheda dangerousstate.WithouthesitationDriverMitchellenteredthehouse, workedhiswaythroughthedebristothetopofthebuildingatgreat personalriskandlocatedtwocasualties(amanandawoman)•Hethen passedtheinformationbackanddirectedthework®fthestretcherparties. Thedead,butDriverMitchellundoubtedlysavedthe manwasunfortunately lifeofthewoman. /N*. 2 THEGEORGEMEDAL(Continued) No-,SignalmanRobert_HarniltonTINTO, RoyalCorps SignalmanTintoenteredawreckedshelterthroughaverysmallaperture andwithbarehandsdugawayearthmakingpossibletherescueoffourpeople, Therescuepartywasendeavouringtomovealargeslabofconcrete immediatelyabovehim.Heremainedinthisprecariouspositionforfour hoursadministeringmorphiaandreassuringthetrappedpersons. WarSubs.Lieutenant(temp,Capt.)JohnWESTON(73113)? TheDevonshireRegiment. CaptainWestoniscommanderofdefencecompanyatanaerodromewhichwas subjectedtoaheavydivebombingattackonthesthMarch,1941Afterthe• attask,ammunitiononaBoforspositionconsistingofabout1,000roundswas burning,andCaptainWestonimmediatelyattackedthefire,andthoughwounded inthearmbyburstingammunitioncontinuedtoworkuntilthefirewasunder 1 control.CaptainWestonspromptactionundoubtedlysavedalargequantity ofammunitionandprobablythegunaswell. Captain(temp»Major) * GerrardBlandfordMATTHEWS,.M.C.,T.D., "WTb TheDorsetshireRegiment. Onthe24thFebruary,1941?anexplosionoccuredinaminefield,which ©ausedanumberoffatalcasualtiestoN.C.0.’sandmen.Four men,though wounded,survivedtheexplosionandwereleftmaroonedintheminefield, surroundedbyunexplodedminesandmutilatedbodies.Thefieldwasenclosed bybarbedwireentanglementswhichmadethetaskofextricatingthesurvivors moredifficultasitwasknownthatmireswereburiedunderthewire. MajorMatthewsdecidedthattheonlywaytoreachthesurvivorswasto placeplanksoverthewireandsoentertheminefieldandassistthe survivorstosafety.Thishedidfullyawareofthedangerofexplodingmines notonlyinthefieldbutunderthewire.Hedidinfactonlymisstreadingon aminebysomesixinches.Thereisnodoubtwhateverthathisresourcefulness andcouragesavedthelivesofthefourmenwhowereunabletomoveunaided. PlatoonCommanderThomasSIMPSON, HomeGuard. Onthenightofthe11thDecember,1948*PlatoonCommanderSimpson activelyassistedintherescueofseveralpersonswhoworetrapped“beneath thedebriswhenhitHehad anA.R.P.Depotwasduringanenemyairraid.to crawlthroughthedebriswhilemensupportedthepropsandtherewasgreat* dangerofotherpartsofthebuildingcollapsing*ontopofhim.Hemanaged tosawthroughsteelpipesand,removethedebriswhichwaslyingacrossthe trappedpersons.Heshowedconspicuousgallantryanddevotiontoduty. No*1871236LanceSergeantReginaldCharlesMonsPARKER., RoyalEngineers. SergeantParkerdisplayedconspicuousgallantryincarryingouthazardous workinaverybravemanner. /THEBRITISH 3 THEBRITISHEMPIREMEDAL. "~~/MILITARIDIVISION.) No,1i866450CorporalCecilArthurBREWER, RoyalEngineers. —■and No.187H72SapperWilliamDouglasSCOTT, RoyalEngineers. Forgallantconductincarryingouthazardousworkinaverybravemanner. No.11902554Actg.Lance/CorporalCharlesFrederickNOURSE, RoyalEngineers. lance/CorporalNoursewasnearthesceneofanaircraftwhichcrashedinflames onsthMarch,1941• Realisingthatthefullforceofthejetfromoneofthehosesbeingplayedon theflameswasimpededbykinks,heover-ranthehoseinordertofreeitandwas within10feetoftheflameswhenbomb aexploded.Hisgraspofthesituationand hisactionareworthyofhighpraise.Althoughnotamemberofthefire-fighting partyheexposedhimselftotheoftolife.Inhiswork dangerburstingbombssave hemusthavebeenwellawareoftheriskhewastaking. No.1985955SapperWilliamWATTS, RoyalEngineers. Duringan enemyairraidahighexplosivebombwasdroppedwhichpartly demolishedahouseresultinginamanbeingtrapped. SapperWattsmadehiswaytothebasement,partofwhichhadcollapsed,and pulledawaypiecesofmasonryinordertoreachthevictim,whowasalmostcovered withdebris.WhilstengagedonthisrescueworktheceilingfellinandSapperWatts washimselfpartiallyburiedandsustainedinjuries. No.5616845CorporalWilliamFrederickTANNATT, TheDevonshireRegiment. AfteraseveredivebombingattackonanaerodromeonMarch1941,Corporal TannattnoticedafireonaBoforsgunpositionclosetohispost.Althoughtold that1,000roundswereinvolvedandadvisedtotakeheimmediatelyreported cover, thefiretohisandhimassistanceingainingcontrol CompanyCommander,gaveevery ofthefireinspiteofburningammunition.YZhenhisCompanyCommanderwaswounded theherenderedfirst onarmaid.Hebehavedthroughoutwithgreatsteadiness. No.3458630FusilierRichardGASKELL, TheLancashireFusiliers. and No.3460789FusilierRobertFERGUSON, TheLancashireFusiliers. Ontheoccasionoftheairraid,onManchesteron23rd.December,1940,Fusiliers Gaskelland.Fergusonshowed,greatcourageand.completedisregardofpersonaldanger inassistingintherescueofthreecivilianswhoweretrappedundertheruinsof HulmeTownHall.Inwarned spiteofdangerfromahighwall,whichtheyhadbeen mighthavecollapsedonthem,thesetwoFusiliersquarriedthroughamassofdebris forthreehouireandgotfoodanddrinkthroughtothevictims.Theythenenlarged thetunnelandeventuallythetwo gotvictims,womenandaninjuredman,out. /No. 4 THEBRITISHEMPIREMEDAL. (MILITARYDIVISION.)(Cont*d.) No,13Q1624-31ActingSergeantFrederickANMITAG-E, PioneerCorps. AtLadyOwensSchool,Finsbury,onthe16thOctober,1940,SergeantArmitage assistedtheMedicalOfficerinchargeoftheHealthCentretoextricateseveral deadandlivepersonswhohadbeentrappedbythecollapseof masonryowingto enemyaction.havingworkedallthatdayfrom8a.m.to6p.m, Later,afterhe voluntarilycontinuedtunnellingbelowthestillmovingwoodandmasonryat personalrisk,andtodirectandassistinreachingotherpersonswhohadbeen trapped. Hispersonaldisregardforhimselfthroughoutandhisknowledge,asaminer, oftunnellingsetanexampleandwasinstrumentalingainingaccesstoseveral ofthosewhohadbeentrapped. Anairraidwastakingplaceduringmostofthetimeandbombswerefalling, thoughnotintheimmediatevicinity. No.13013433PrivatePatrickThcmasWARD, PioneerCorps. AtLadyOwensSchool,Finsbury,onthenightofthe16th/l7thOctober,1940, afteranbombingraid, enemyhavingandworkedfrom8a,m.to6p,m,,Private Wardvoluntarilycontinuedtoassistatthesite,where,owingtoenemyactiona numberofpeople,someofwhomwerestillalive,hadbeentrappedbelowfallen masonryetc.Hecontinuedtoassistinthemovingofdebris,whichwasstillon theuntilof move,theearlyhoursthefollowingmorning.Byhischeerfulnessand prolongedstrenuouseffortheconsiderableencouragementtoothersandhelped gave tomaintainthespiritofthoseconcerned,therebyassistinginthesavingof• severallives.Anairraidwastakingplacemostofthetimeandbombswere falling,thoughnotintheimmediatevicinity. SectionLeaderGeorgeTURNER HemeGuard. DuringabombingattackbyenemyaircraftonanightinSeptember,1940? SectionLeaderTurnerwasproceedingtoHeadquartersPostnearalargebuildingwhen highexplosivebombstofallat80to100feetdistance;almostsimultaneously began therefellataboutfeetdistance JOandjustoutsidethebuilding,alarge incendiarybomboftheoiltype.TheexplosionthrewSectionLeaderTurner violentlyintotheairandonthefringeofthepoolofoil,someofwhichhad scatteredoveronepartofthebuildingwhichwaspartlyconstructedofrood.He hadhishipbadlyinjuredthroughfallingontheconcrete.Realisinghoweverthe greatdangeroffire,hedraggedhimselftothebuilding,putonthefirealarm andinstructionshimself gavetorallyreservementoassisttfcefirebrigade.He wentbacktothecentreofthefirewhichwashold,rapidlygainingakickedaway severalblazingsacksofpaper,sandbagsframingtheHeadquarters dismantledthe Post,andthrewthesandontothespreadingfire,usingthesandbagsthemselves toputouttheflames.Thesituationhadbeenrenderedthemoreperilousbythe burstingandignitionofmain,andrealisingthatthismaincontinuedtoact agas asabeacontotheenemyaircraft,heprocuredasbestossheetingandplaceditover theblazeandtookstepstohavetheturnedoffatitssource. gas Byhispromptassessmentofthewholesituation,SectionLeaderTurner’s andinitiativeindealingwithitwhilesufferinggreatpainandshock, courage undoubtedlysavedthewholebuilding. /Assistant •3 AssistantSectionLeaderHarryThomasMORRIS, HomeGuard* DuringabombingattackbyenemyaircraftinMiddlesexonanightinSeptember, 194-0?AssistantSectionLeaderMorriswasproceedingtotheHeadquartersPostwhen highexplosivebombsbegantofallat80to100feetdistance.Almost therefellataboutJOfeetdistantandjustoutsidealargenearbybuilding,a largeincendiarybomboftheoilTheexplosionthrewAssistantSectionLeader type* Morrisviolentlyintotheairandhesustainedinjurieswhichrenderedoneofhis armsuseless.Thebuildingwasingreatdangerofbeingdestroyedbyfireowingto theproximityofmuchinflammablematerialtothewoodworkofthebuilding,but AssistantSectionLeaderMorrisatonceralliedreservemenandreturnedtothe spreadingfire,displayinggreatcourageinhelpingtokeepitundercontrol,thus savingthebuildingandmuchmaterial*Byhisdisregardofalldangerhesetafine exampleofdevotiontoandhis dutymen. VolunteerEdwinTrevorWISTOW HomeGuard* On29thDecember,194-0?VolunteerWistowwasdetailedfordutyatabuilding whichbecametheofintenseattackfromtheand targetan enemyair,highexplosive incendiarybombsbeingconcentrateduponit.Hewasontheroofwhentwohigh explosivebombswentthroughthebuilding,carryinghimwiththedebris,He disregardedhisinjuriesandsettoworktocleartheexitofashelterinwhicha numberofpeopleThesetakentoanothershelterhimselfand weretrapped.wereby anotherman.AtthispointVolunteerWistowhadtobetakentohospitaltohavehis injuriesattendedto,buthereportedbackfordutyagainat3a.m.thenextmorning. Hehadhelpedtofightaseriousfireafew'dayspreviouslywhenincendiary combshadsetbuildingNothewholeweek- aalight.onlythat,butworkedthrougha endtorepairthedamage. Heisdeservingofhighcommendationforhisdevotiontodutyandentire disregardofhisownsafety.Byclearingtheexitstotheshelterduringtheenemy bombardment,thoughwoundedandsufferingfromsevereshock,heensuredthesafetyof hisfellowcitizens. VolunteerErnestThomasSMITH HomeGuard* On29thDecember,194-0?VolunteerSmithwasderailed, buildingwhichbecame ata thetargetofanintenseenemyattackair,highexplosiveandincendiary the bombswerebeingconcentrateduponit*VolunteerSmithwasontheroofwhentwohigh explosivebombswentthroughthebuilding,carryinghimwiththedebris*He disregardedhisinjuriesandsettoworktocleartheexitofashelterinwhicha numberofpeopleweretrapped*Theseweretakentoanothershelterbyhimselfand anotherman.VolunteerSmithrefusedmedicalaidandcarriedon. Hehad.helped,tofightaseriousfireafew'dayspreviouslywhenincendiary Bombshadsetabuildingalight.Notonlythat,buthehadworkedthroughawhole week-endtorepairthedamage. isand HeReservingofhighcommendationforhisdevotiontodutyentire disregardofhissafety*theexitstotheshelterduringthe ownByclearingenemy bombardment,thoughwoundedandsufferingfiomsevereshook,heensuredthesafety ofhisfellowcitizens. /VolunteerBadccck ■6 VolunteerWilliamLeonardBADCOCK,HomeGuard. VolunteerBadcockwasonHomeGuarddutyduringanenemyairraid whenlargenumberofincendiarybcmbsThemajorityofthe aweredropped. bombswereeasilyputout,buttwolodgedontopofagasholder,which wasatthattimeabout90feetintheair.Theseincendiarieswere lightinguptheworksandofferingatargettotheenemyairmen,whowere circlingroundandsubsequentlydroppedmorebombs.Inordertoquenchthe blazeheandanothermanclimbedtothetopoftheholderandscoopedup thefirebombsintheirhelmets. VolunteerLeonardTIDBALL,HomeGuard. Followinganintenseairraid,on15th/16thOctober,194-0,thepolice called,onabattalionoftheBirminghamHomeGuard,toassistinrescue dutyc VolunteerTidballwasamemberofthepartyofsixvolunteersunder SectionTheyfoundseveralpeopleimprisonedin 4 aOommanderowereagas- filledcellarrAsmallholewasmadeandtheSectionCommander,withgreat bravery,wasloweredintothecavityandrescuedtwomalesalive.He enteredthirdtimebutdraggedtothe awasovercomebyfumesandwas surfacebyVolunteerTidball,whowasalsoovercomebyfumes,butlater recoveredinhospital,ItwasimpossibletorevivetheSectionCommander. VolunteerTidballshowedutmostgallantryanddevotiontodutyin faceofgreatpersonaldanger. VWAROFFICE,S.W.I, Tuesday,May27,1941« MINISTRYOFINFORMATION NEWSBULLETINNo.3.93 ’WARECOLORADOINVASION’ WATCHYOURPOTATOESFORTHEBOLDBADBEETLE** AllpotatogrowersareagainremindedofthedangeroftheColoradoBeetle reachingthiscountry.Asinglecolonyinaprivatekitchengarden,allotmentor potatofieldwhichescapesdetectionmayresultinamorewidespreadoutbreakthat mightproveextremelydifficulttoeradicatea TheMinistryofAgricultureisanxioustoobtainasearlynotificationas ofoftheinthissincetheof possibleanydiscoverypestcountry,successmeasures undertakenforitseradicationwilltheircarriedoutingoodtime. dependonbeing Allindistrictsaskedto potatogrowers- particularlythosecoastal- are keepaclosewatchontheircropsandtoinformtheMinistryassoonasthey discoverorsuspectthepresenceofthebeetle. TheMinistry’sAdvisoryLeafletNo.71givesafulldescriptionofthepest. Anyyellowishbeetleaboutiin.long,withblackstripes- runningupanddownthe beetle,notacrossoranyredorreddish-yellowgrubthatisfoundfeedingupon - potatoleavesshouldbesuspect. Whensuspectedbeetlesorgrubsarediscovered,oneortwospecimensanda pieceofpotatoleafshouldbeplacedinatinbox(inwhichnoholesshouldbe punched)andsenttotheMinistryofAgriculture,PlantPathologicalLaboratory, MiltonRoad.Harpenden,Herts.,withaletterstatingtheexactplacewherethe insectswerecaughtandthenameandaddressofthefinder Nootherstepsshouldbetakenuntilinstructionsarereceivedfromthe Ministry. Thecropmustnotbesprayed,exceptundertheMinistry’sauthority,or interferedwithinanyway,asunauthorisedsprayingortreatmentmaycausethe beetlestothis spread.Anyothercommunicationsaboutpestshouldbeaddressedto theHorticultureBranch,MinistryofAgriculture,LindumHotel,St.Annes,Lytham St.Annes,Lancs.MinistryofAgriculture.M.0.1.1. GIBRALTAREVACUEESCOLLECTFOR’’HOOD”DEPENDANTS. WhenevacueesfromGibraltar,nowlivingatoneoftheMinistryofHealth centresinLondon,heardofthesinkingofH.M.S.HOOD,theydecidedoftheirown accordtomakeacollectiontohelpthedependantsofthemenwholosttheirlives. H.M.S.HOODwasoftenafamiliarsightoffGibraltar,forduringtheSpanish CivilWarshewasonpatrolinMediterraneanwaters. Theevacueeswhocontributedtothecollectionweremainlywomenandchildren, andasumof£2*4wasraised.MinistryofHealth.M.0.1.2. M.0.1.NewsBulletinNo.393Page2. "LOLLIPOPMONEY"FORSPITFIRES. TheMinisterofAircraftProductionwiththe acknowledgesgratitude followinggiftstowardstheofaircraft. purchase JeanMinford&friends.(Childrensendinglollipop money- totalnow31/-)• £ CrowsNestShelter,Highgate.£2.12.0. Moreton-in-MarshLocalBritishLegionBoxes.£34»0.0. DiggersAbroadAssociations,(ex-membersofAustralianImperial£AB.IB.6. Forceinlastresidentinthisamount warnowcountry- originallysubscribedforexpensesofannualRe-Union Dinner). PenderHarbour- smallsettlementinBritishColumbia.$293 WoodhallSpa&DistrictSpitfireFund.cCAOO.0.0. MinistryofAircraftProduction.M,0.1.3- DEBTSDUETOPERSONSINENEMYORENEMYOCCUPIEDTERRITORY. Personswhoowemoney,whichwould,butforthewar,havebeenpaidto anypersoninenemyor enemyoccupiedterritoryareremindedthattheyare underlegalobligationtothemoneytotheCustodianof a payEnemyProperty, (SirErnestPass,K.C.M.G.,C.8.,0.8.E.),PublicTrusteeOffice,Kingsway, London,W.C.2.,exceptinthecaseofdebtorsinScotland,whoshouldpay IS?.ErnestEdwardNew Parker,M.8.E.,RegisterHouse, Edinburgh,2,anddebtors inNorthernIreland,whoshould payMajorFrederickGeorgeHill,0.8.E,, SupremeCourtofJudicature,CourtsofJustice,Ulster,Belfast. Royal Paymentshouldbemadeforthwithinthecaseofthefollowingterritories inenemyoccupationorcontrol:- France(including"unoccupied"France) FrenchNorthAfrica Monaco Denmark Roumania Bulgaria Hungary The questionofdebtsowingtopersonsintheAlliedterritoriesin enemyoccupationisunderconsideration,andaseparateannouncementonthis subjectwillbemadelater,- BoardofTrade.M.oa l.4- H.M.S.FIJIBOREFIJIANMOTTO: "PEARGOD,HONOURTHEKING". H.M.S.Fiji.lostintheBattleofthefirstofnumberof Crete,wasa 8,000-tonmoderncruisersnamedafterBritishColonies.Sheboreasher motto"RereVakaNaKalouKaDokaNaTui",theFijianversionof"FearGod, HonourtheKing",whichappearsbeneaththeColony’scoatofarms.Notlong thepeopleofFijiboughtfortheshipanickelsilverbell,ahandsome ago silverbowlandasetofsilverbugles. OthershipsoftheFijiclassincludeH.M.S.Kenya,H.M.S.Mauritius, H.M.S.Nigeria,H.M.S.Trinidadwhichwerelaunchedin1939;H.M.S.Ceylon, H.M.S.Gambia,H.M.S.JamaicaandH.M.S.launchedinandothers Uganda,1948, whosenameshavenotyetbeenreleased.- ColonialOfficePressSection. 5. '■ 27,5.41.No.10. PRIMEMINISTER’SSPEECH PleasenotethefollowingcorrectionstothePMimeMinister’s speechinParlimenttoday:- InreferringtotheactiononSaturdaymorning,thePrime MinistersaidthattwoshipsengagedwereH.M.S.HoodandH.M.S. shouldread"H.M.S.Hoodand GeorgeV,.ThisH.I-.S,Princeof Wales”,■ ThePrimeMinisteralsostatedthatseaplaneshadbeenflown fromtheaircraftcarrierArkRoyal,This,ofshouldhave course, been’’planes”notseaplanes”. MINISTRYOFINFORPiATION 27/5/41No.11. NOTFORPUBLICATION,BROADCAST,ORUSEONCLUBTAPESBEFORE 00,30D.B.S.r.ONMAY28,1941. KING’SBADGEFORINVALIDEDOFFICERSANDMEN HisMajestyhastheinstitutionofforthose approvedaBadge invalidedfromtheNaval,MilitaryandAirForcesandtheMerchantNavy andFishingFleetthroughwoundsorwardisablementattributabletoservice since3rdSeptember,1939- TheKing’sBadge,asapprovedbyHisMajesty,consistsoftheRoyal • andImperialCyphersurmountedbyaCrownandsurroundedbyacircularband bearingtheinscription,"'ForLoyalService”.Air.PercyMetcalfe,C.V.0., hascarriedoutthedesign.Theisinchindiameterandofwhite Badgeone metal.Itisfittedwithabuttonholeattachmentformenandabrooch attachmentforwomen. ThedistributionwillbecarriedouttheMinistryofPensionsand by theKing’sBadge-willbeissuedautomaticallytoanyoneentitledtoreceive it.Noapplicationwillbenecessary.Itisexpectedthatsuppliesvdll bereadyinafewweeks’time. 10DOWNINGST. Note:PhotographsarcavailablefromB.I.P.P.A.andP.N.A. 27/5/U1~No.12 TRANSMISSIONOPURGENTMESSAGESTOMEMBERSOPTHEMERCHANT NAVYFROMTHEIRNEARRELATIVESIN-THE"UNITED"‘KINGDOM TheMinisterofWarTransportannouncesthatarrangements beenmadeforofandprivatenatureto messagesanurgent >esentbytelegramtoofficersandmenoftheMerchantNavyby thenext-of-kinornearrelativesintheUnitedKingdom. Special'telegraphformsforthispurposehavebeenprepared andmaybeobtainedonapplicationfromtheOfficersofthe Ownersoftheshipsinwhichtheofficersandmenareserving. Theformswillbeissuedtheshipownerapplicationbythe byon next-of-kinattherateofnotmorethanoneamonthandshould beusedonlyincasesofurgency. Thespecialtelegrams,addressedinthenormalmanner,i.e. rankofinat name,orrating,nameship,London,maybehanded nyPostalTelegraphOfficeintheUnitedKingdom,paymentbeing madeatthenormalInlandRate.' OwingtotheheavyvolumeofimportantGovernmenttraffic onthelinesoverwhichthetelegramswillbesent,itisessential thatthecontentsshouldberestrictedtomessagesofanurgent andnature.Termsofendearment,congratulationsand birthdayanniversarygreetingsshouldbeomittedandthenumber ofwordsshouldnotnormallyexceedtwelve,exclusiveofthe address. Everyendeavourwillbemadetopassthetelegramstothe addresseegassoonaspossible* MINISTRYOFWARTRANSPORT 27/5/41“ No.21. MIDDLEEASTCOMMUNIQUE. ThefollowingofficialcommuniquewasissuedfromBritish G.H.Q.,Cairotoday: CRETEGerman Supportedbyfurtherintensivebombing, troopsintheareawestof Canea,launchedanother attackyesterdayeveningwhichenlargedtheirpenetration intoourdefences,necessitatingthewithdrawalofour troopstopositionsintherear.Germanreinforcements continuetoreachtheislandbyairandheavyfighting iscontinuing. LIBYATobruk:inthesituation nochange IntheSoliumarea,anumberofsmallenemycolumns againcrossedthefrontierandadvancedseveralmiles eastwards.Althoughtemporarilygivinggroundourforward troopsaresuccessfullyharassingandslowingdownthe advanceofthesecolumns. ABYSSINIAIntheLakesareaourtroopsareengagedinclearing the“battlefieldandinthescatteredremants roundingup oftheItalianforcesinthisregion* Inothersectorsheavyrainistemporarilyimpeding the progressofouroperations* IRAQNochangeinthesituation. MINISTRYOFINFORMATION(MilitaryAffairs 27/M1- No.24. FOURTRADEANNOUNCEMENTS. TRADING-WITHTHEENEMY. SyriaandtheLebanon. TheBoardofTradeandtheMinistryofEconomicWarfareannouncethatSyria andtheLebanontobeforthe areregardedasenemyoccupiedterritorypurpose oftheTradingwiththeActandofeconomicwarfare. Enemy Itisfinancialother accordinglyapunishableoffencetohavecommercial,or intercoursewithforthebenefitofinthatterritory. dealings ororanyperson Asfromto-day,moreover,andtheLebanonwillbe Syriaregardedasanenemy destinationforcontraband purposesandallgoodsoriginatingorownedinthat territorywillbeliabletoseizure. NOTICETOIMPORTERSNO.129 NewPotatoesfromEire. TheBoardofTradeannouncethat,byarrangementwiththeMinistryofFood, OpenGeneralLicencehasbeenissuedtheimportationwithout an permitting furtherlicenceofNewPotatoesfromEiremonthofJune. importedduringthe LIMITATIONOFSUPPLIES. IstJuneto30thNovember. TheBoardofTradehavemadeanOrder,theLimitationofSupplies (Miscellaneous)(No.11)Order(S.R.&0.1941No.700),regulatingsuppliesof controlledgoodstheThe duringquotaperiodIstJunetoJOthNovember,194-1* changesinthequotapercentageshavealreadybeenannounced.Theseandthefew otherchangesmadetheOrderinof bynewareexplainedamemorandum,copies whichwillshortlybeobtainablefromH.M.S.O. ThePresidentof oftheBoardofTradehasurgedwholesalersonanumber occasionstopayregardtoshiftsofpopulationandalsotospreadtheavailable suppliestotheshopsevenlyoverthesixmonths’ quotaperiod.Withthe commencementofanewquotaperiodontheIstJune,itisofspecialimportance thatinacceptingordersfordeliveryinJune,manufacturersandwholesalers ahouldhaveregardtothedistributionofandshouldalsoaimatnot population supplyingintheaggregateduringthemonthmorethanone-sixthoftheirtotal quota. NOTICETOIMPORTERSNO.128 ImportationsbyParcelPost. notifiedthatinfuturethestandardformofimportlicence Importersare willnormallynotbeavailableforimportationbypost.Weretheimporter desirestoimporthisapplication byposthemustmakespecialreferencetothison formwhenthelicence,ifgranted,willbeendorsedaccordingly. BOARDOFTRADE. -No.25 OFFICIAL.,ADMIRALTYCOMOTIQUE. ThePursuitandDestructionoftheBISMARCK. AirreconnaissancebyCoastalCommandaircraftrevealedthataGerman ~ battleship’cruiser,andwhichtheyhad‘previouslylocatedintheNorwegian portofBergen,-hadsailed..... . Certaindispositionswerethereforeordered,and..-asaresultH.M.S. NORFOLK-(CaptainA.J.L.Phillips,R.N.)’wearingtheflagofRearAdmiral ;W.F..Wake-Walker,C.8.,0*B;E. , andH.M.S.'SUFFOLK(CaptainR.M.Ellis,R.N.) -wereorderedtotakeupaposition.intheDenmarkStraits. OntheeveningofMay23,AdmiralWake-Walkerreportedsightinganenemy forceofbattleshipandcruiserproceeding•.attotheSouth- oneonehigh,speed -9 Westward.5 VisibilityontheDenmarkStraitwasbadandextremelyvariable.Therange oftheenemywp.sonly6miles*whenhewasfirstsighted,andstormsofsnowand sleetandpatchesof.mistattimesreducedthevisibilitytoonemile.’Despite thedifficultiesofvisibility,-HvM.S.NORFOLKandH.M.S.-SUFFOLKshadowedthe enenysuccessfully’’throughoutthenight.': . MeanwhileotherunitsoftheRoyalNavyweretakingupdispositionsat highspeed-with.aviewto.interceptingtheenemyandbringinghimtoactionwith heavyforces.''V. * our - Earlyinthemorhing-ofMay24,H.M.S.HOOD,(CaptainR.Kerr,C.8.E.,R;N.) wearingtheflagofVice-AdmiralL.E.Holland,..C.8.,.withH.M.S.PRINCEOF’WALES (CaptainJ.C.Leach,M.V.0.,R.N.)incompany,madecontact-withtheenemy. Actionwasimmediatelyjoined,•V?.■./ .! During*theensuing'engagementBISMARCKreceiveddamage'and.wasatonetime seentobeonfire.H.M.S.HOOD,ashasalreadybeenannounced,receivedahit in-themagazineandblewup.H.M.S.,PRINCEOFHALESsustainedslightdamage. ,■Thechasewascontinuedonasouth-westerlycoursewithH.M.S.NORFOLKand H.M.S.SUFFOLKshadowingthe enemyandmaintainingcontactdespiteallhisefforts toshakeoffthepursuit,Itappearedatthistimethattheenemy’sspeedhad. ■ beenslightlyreduced,andreconnaissanceaircraftof/theCoastalCommand 'reported,that.-shewasleavingawakeofoil',. Ontheeveningof24,H.M.S.PRINCEOFWALESagainmadecontactwiththe May andactionjoinedfortime.shipsturned enemywas-ashortTheGerman,atonce awaytothewestward,andthen swungroundontoasoutherlycourse,withour forcesstillinpursuit. ofnavalforces Otherourwerenowapproachingtheenemy,amdduringthe nightnavaltorpedobombingaircraftfromH.M.S.VICTORIOUS(Capt.H.C.Bovell, R.N.)deliveredatorpedoattackontheenemyfromaconsiderabledistance,and onetorpedowasseentohittheBISMARCK. H.M.S.NORFOLK,H.M.S.SUFFOLKandH.M.S.PRINCEOFWALEScontinued'to shadowtheenemysuccessfullyuntilshortlyafterJa.m.on25thMay.Touchwith enemywasnowlostinlowvisibility.Theenemywasthenapproximately350miles South-South-EastoftheSouthernpointofGreenland.Searchingdispositionswere attakenotherunitsoftheRoyalNavy.mainbodyoftheHome onceupbyThe FleetunderthecommandofAdmiralJ.C.Tovey,K.C.8.,D.5.0.,withhisFlag flyinginH.M.S.KINGGEORGEV.(CaptainW.R.Patterson,C.V.0.,R.N.)was steamingathighspeedinaSouth-WesterlydirectionfromNorthernwaters. AnotherforceunderthecommandofViceAdmiralSirJamesF.Somerville, K.C.8.,D.5.0.,withhisFlagflyinginH.M.S.RENOWN(CaptainR.R.McGrigor, R.N.)wassteamingnorth-westwardsathighspeedfromGibraltar.H.M.S.RODNEY (CaptainF.H.G.DalrympleHamilton,R.N.)H.M.S.RAMELLIES(CaptainA.D.Read, R.N.)whowereescortingconvoysintheNorthAtlanticproceededtomoveinthe directionoftheenemy. ExtensiveairsearcheswereorganisedbyCoastalCommandandbytheRoyal CanadianAirForcestationedinNewfoundland. Itwasnotuntilabout10.30a*m.onMay26thattheenemywasagain located.AtthattimetheBISMARCKwassightedbyaCatalinaaircraftof CoastalCommandinapositionabout550mileswestofLandsEnd. /This ■2- Thisaircraftwasattackedand/as"a’resultlost-touchwiththeenemybattleship halfhourbut-at1115theBISMARCKsightedbynavalaircraft anlater,,-a.m.was’ operatingfromH.M.S.ARKCOYAL(CaptainL.E.H.Maundq•R.N.)Onlythebattleship BISMARCKWEksseenandshewasthensteeringaneasterlycourse. .AtthistimeH.M.S.'KINGGEORGEVand'H.M.S..■RODNEY'Wereapproachingthearea, butwerenotyetsufficientlyclosetobringtheenemytoaction.•: AssoonasBISIIARCKwassighted,byARKROYAL’Saircraft"AdmiralSirJames SomervilledetachedthecruiserH.M.S’.SHEFFIELD(CaptainC.'A.A.'Larcom,R.N.)to makeContactwithand'shadowtheBISMARCK.-.Duringtheafternoonastrikingforce ‘ofNivalaircraftwasdespatchedfromH.M.S.ARKROYALto'attackwith’torp.edoes, ' butthisunsuccessful.’'’Li”..'A.J. proved•;■■■■,. " contactwiththeBISMARCKand Shortlyafter5.30.p.m.HAAS.SHEFFIELDmade proceededtoshadow’her....'Within20minutesanother•strikingforceofNavalaircraft wasflownoffbyH.M.S.ARKROYAL.Thisforceattackedsuccessfullyandone hitBISMARCKAsecondhitobtained ' torpedowas.seentotheamidships.wasbya torpedoonthestarboard,quarteroftheGermanbattleship. '•Itwassubsequently and reported-that,onbeinghitduringthisattack,theBISMARCKmade thatherspeedwasagainreduced..'A..: . Duringtheofour-destroyersOftheTRIBALclass’’underthecommand, eveningsome madecontactafter11.p.m. ofCaptain.R-.L.VianD.S.Q.,R.N.,in,H.M.S...COSSACK,soon Between1.20,a.m.and1.50,a,m.onMay"27>iheBIShIARCKwasat.tackedwith torpedoesbyH.M.S.ZULU,(CommanderH.R.Graham,D.5.0.,R.N*.,).H.M.S.MAORI /CommanderH.TM.S,COSSACKand. H.M.S.MAORIeachhitwithone.torpedo;AfterH.M.S.',MAORI’Sattack,,itwas reported,thattherewas’afire.'onth£forecastleoftheGermanbattleship.. Onehouraftertheseattacksbyourdestroyers',itwas'reported,that-the BISMARCKtobeShethenabout'400milesduewestofBrest appearedstopped.was andhad.beenpursued,byour.forcesformorethan1,750miles/.Itwassubsequently reportedthattheBISMARCKandhadtnadegoodabout8milesin wasagainunder''way, heavyand'accurategunfire. * onehour,andthatshewasstillcapableof Atdaylight27anotherforceofnavalaircraftdespatched